Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/18929
NOVEMBER 2010 THE BEST OF LONG BEACH The Aquarium of the Pacific: THE BIG PICTURE WRITTEN BY JOHN MOLINA, RUSS HILL, SEN. ALAN LOWENTHAL, DOUG OTTO, AND BEVERLY O'NEILL 62 BUSINESS & MONEY : NON-PROFIT PROFILE Imagine if Long Beach had a venue that brought close to 1.5 million people to the city and $200 million in economic impact to the region, attracted world-class guest speakers, educated hundreds of thousands of school children, served as a vibrant gathering place for our community and its diverse cultures, set the standard in green business, and acted as a think tank to solve issues facing our planet. This remarkable vision is a reality, and it is right here — the Aquarium of the Pacific. In just over 12 years our Aquarium of the Pacific has become one of the nation's top aquariums. It is the fourth largest in the country, the second most attended cultural attraction in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, and one of the most culturally diverse. Its exhibits, education, volunteer and dive programs as well as marketing have received industry recognition. But what makes it most special is it has also redefined the modern aquarium. It is a place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated, where important topics facing our planet and our ocean are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions, and where green business is business as usual. The Aquarium is involved in numerous conservation efforts, including sustainable seafood, watershed education, fresh water resources, and ocean literacy. It opened the first LEED Platinum building in Long Beach and was awarded the Super Nova Star Award by the Alliance to Save Energy for being the nation's most energy-efficient business with revenues under $150 million. Its partners include the Smithsonian, World Wildlife Fund, and NOAA to name a few.